What you need to know about eating disorders
If you have a life-long association of food with emotional fulfillment or as a way of coping with emotional problems then you need to be concerned since these are some of the characteristics of a person suffering from eating disorders. Most people who have such associations do not even realize they have a problem. In order to assist you to manage an eating disorder, you have to begin by gaining insight into the problem.
Eating disorders are often highly guarded secrets in most families and those who fall victim to these complications rarely come out in the open to seek help. Adolescent girls and young women are the most susceptible. These two groups are at greater risk since they are more concerned about their physical appearance and hence more likely to diet to get the perfect body figure. Eating disorders are just like any other mental disorder; this means that if you have been suffering in silence it is safe and okay for you to seek help without feeling embarrassed about the problem. Currently, there are many professional therapists willing to assist you to deal with these problems.
Basically eating disorders are divided into 3 categories namely; bulimia nervosa, anorexia and binge eating. Each of the above disorders has unique characteristics which assist therapists to identify the condition.
Characteristics of Bulimia nervosa:
Excessive eating followed by vomiting to rid yourself of food
Abuse of diuretics, laxatives and enemas as well as excessive exercises
Symptoms of Anorexia nervosa:
Constant refusal to maintain weight that is consistent with your build, height, and age
Intense fear of gaining weight
Continuously starving yourself almost to the point of death
Poor self-image
Characteristics of binge eating:
A feeling of helplessness overeating during a binge
Consumption of large amounts of food than the average person in one sitting
Eating until the person feels nauseated and uncomfortable due to the amount of food eaten
The person is easily irritated
Eats during moments of depression or when bored
Treatment
Psychotherapists normally use cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat eating disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a time-limited approach that assists you understand how your thought patterns and adverse self-talk directly influence their behavior. The treatment also focuses on addressing latent cognitive and emotional issues that result in the condition.
Eating disorders are often highly guarded secrets in most families and those who fall victim to these complications rarely come out in the open to seek help. Adolescent girls and young women are the most susceptible. These two groups are at greater risk since they are more concerned about their physical appearance and hence more likely to diet to get the perfect body figure. Eating disorders are just like any other mental disorder; this means that if you have been suffering in silence it is safe and okay for you to seek help without feeling embarrassed about the problem. Currently, there are many professional therapists willing to assist you to deal with these problems.
Basically eating disorders are divided into 3 categories namely; bulimia nervosa, anorexia and binge eating. Each of the above disorders has unique characteristics which assist therapists to identify the condition.
Characteristics of Bulimia nervosa:
Excessive eating followed by vomiting to rid yourself of food
Abuse of diuretics, laxatives and enemas as well as excessive exercises
Symptoms of Anorexia nervosa:
Constant refusal to maintain weight that is consistent with your build, height, and age
Intense fear of gaining weight
Continuously starving yourself almost to the point of death
Poor self-image
Characteristics of binge eating:
A feeling of helplessness overeating during a binge
Consumption of large amounts of food than the average person in one sitting
Eating until the person feels nauseated and uncomfortable due to the amount of food eaten
The person is easily irritated
Eats during moments of depression or when bored
Treatment
Psychotherapists normally use cognitive-behavioral therapy to treat eating disorders. Cognitive-behavioral therapy is a time-limited approach that assists you understand how your thought patterns and adverse self-talk directly influence their behavior. The treatment also focuses on addressing latent cognitive and emotional issues that result in the condition.
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